Olmert meets with northern community leaders

Thursday, July 27, 2006 |
by Staff Writer

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert traveled to the north and met with the heads of 20 northern communities on Wednesday afternoon.

Shortly after, the prime minister traveled to the bombarded city of Safed to meet with the mayor and members of the city council, representatives of the security division, and rescue forces, among them the Fire Chief, the major-general of the home front command, the police chief of the northern district, and the head of Magen David Adom.

During the meeting, the leaders reviewed all military and civilian actions taken in light of the emergency situation.

The prime minister encouraged mayor Ishai Maimon who said the visit gave him strength.

The prime minister said, “We are different leaders of war from past wars. This was unplanned, but two weeks later and in the course of the war the state contributed as much as possible to the home front which turned into a battlefield.”
The prime minister added that the operation “will not be longer than two months but even if it takes more time than planned, we will find suitable solutions for the citizens.”

Olmert said he does not know when operations will cease, but this is something they [Hizballah] will learn the hard way.

“Our strength is what you give us and I hope next year you will invite me to open the Klezmer Festival,” he said.

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